The Weyburn Police Service offered their condolences to the family, friends, colleagues, and community members of two fallen Edmonton Police Officers, who were shot and killed in the line of duty in the early morning hours of Thursday, March 16th. 

Chief of Police Jamie Blunden with the Weyburn Police Service reflected, "It's a tragic event and you don't come to work every morning and think that you're not going to go home at night. When these things do happen, it affects that community tremendously and our family of Police Officers throughout the nation."

Any time a person becomes a Police Officer, Chief Blunden explained that they know there's going to be some sacrifices. "We work 24/7 365 days a year, so those special dates that members have throughout their lifetime, such as kid's birthdays, Christmases, anniversaries, graduations, all of those sorts of dates, we know there's going to be sacrifices there."

We also know, Chief Blunden said, that sometimes the ultimate sacrifice is putting your life on the line. "Sometimes that sort of gets put to the back burner a little bit and then when these tragedies happen, it comes back to the forefront and you reflect on the job that you do." 

Chief Blunden said that members put that into perspective and think hard about what they're doing and making sure that they're a little more vigilant going to calls. "That risk goes up a little bit more that maybe we never really recognized in the past."

In regards to supports available for members in light of this tragedy and as part of their ongoing support system, Chief Blunden shared that the Weyburn Police Service has several resources with respect to mental health and the wellbeing of their members.

"We have Dr. Jody Burnett, she's a psychologist that works with the Weyburn Police Service. She'll navigate the system for the members if they're going through any issues. We also have PSPNET put on through the University of Regina, which is an online therapy program and members can reach out. Our employee assistance program is available to the members as well."

Chief Blunden explained that they take mental health and wellness very seriously, and part of their business plan is about the wellbeing of their members.

"When these incidents happen, I think it's really important to reflect on the programs that you have in place and if it's enough for the members that we have."

Chief Blunden expressed that everybody's hearts are full, and the Weyburn Police Service wanted to extend their support to the Edmonton Police Service, as well as to members here within the Weyburn community.